Eugene the Piper plays ‘Bonnie Galloway’ during protests in Kiev

As violence and unrest continues to engulf Kiev, footage emerged last week of a brave bagpiper playing ‘Bonnie Galloway’ as bullets hurtled past. Known simply as Eugene, the Ukrainian piper gave a rendition of the famous Scots tune despite having being shot in the ear with a rubber bullet.

The self taught piper told the Daily Record he was inspired to play during the protests by Scottish pipers who marched with soldiers at war. He said his experience had made it possible for him to imagine what pipers felt during battles, stating he played to support the protestors fighting to remain independent of Russia.

“When musicians play during a riot, it means the people involved are not terrorists or extremists. It means they are normal people fighting for their rights and their state. I was emotional given what was happening around me.”

After being hit, Eugene only stopped playing the pipes due to the plunging temperatures. He described how police fired plastic pellets during the protests at the spot where he was standing with journalists, saying: “Fragments hit my hands and face but I was fortunate they did not hit my eyes.”

Eugene said he believes music is very important when people are fighting for their future. “It does not matter even what instrument you play but, oddly enough, the great ­Scottish bagpipes fit very well into this role. In most cases I played Ukrainian folk tunes and people reacted positively. People thanked me and asked me to play more as the bagpipes gave them moral support.”

Eugene has been playing for five years and has performed at Scottish-themed weddings and functions in Ukraine. Despite his passion for piping, Eugene has never been to Scotland. He said: “I would like to see real teachers of piping so I can learn properly.”

Sergeant Major Scott Shaw

As part of BBC Scotland’s series remembering the Iraq War which began 10 years ago, Regimental Sergeant Major Scott Shaw of the Black Watch shares his experience.

Click here to watch the video – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-21849016

Corporal John Clamp with his award

A SCOTS soldier has been given a top Army award for helping transform his camp in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

Corporal John Clamp, 51, is a qualified carpenter and used his skills to make life more bearable by building shelters and creating a new briefing room.

John, from Hawick, Roxburghshire, did all the work in his spare time using recycled materials.

Now the corporal from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS) has been awarded the Commander’s Coin for outstanding achievement.

John, who has been in Helmand since September, said: “I’m extremely honoured to receive the award.

“It’s nice to be recognised but I just enjoy adding value to the job.”

He was presented with the Coin by Brigadier Bob Bruce, the Commander of Task Force Helmand and a former 1 SCOTS Commanding Officer.

John works in the battalion’s quartermaster’s department and his main role is to supervise the delivery of stores and equipment, including mail, which is so important for troops’ morale, particularly over
the festive period.

But he used his handyman skills to build shelters for the Guard Force, facilities for interpreters and a fully-functioning briefing room for British and Afghan forces.

John carried out the work at Camp Tombstone and Camp Shorobak – the Afghan base attached to Camp Bastion where 1 SCOTS are helping to train and mentor soldiers from the Afghan army.

John is due to marry his fiancée Linda Park, a care home nurse from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, next year.